The General Directorate of Treasury in San Jose, Costa Rica, shut down the Wyndham Herradura Hotel in Belén, Heredia, this Wednesday as a result of a sanction applied for past due tax payments.

The sanction is effective for five days. According to Carlos Vargas, director of the Ministry of Treasury, the process goes back for some years and the hotel was notified that they had a term to make the corresponding payment.

The Wyndham is therefore not able to receive clients since Wednesday and through Sunday, December 15; however, the guests that are currently staying at the hotel are not affected by the measure.

“The sanction is carried out respecting the guests that are in the hotel at the time, any empty rooms cannot be used or reserved for the days the sanction is effective”, clarified Vargas.

Gustavo Araya, representative of the hotel, commented that he considers the sanction to be disproportionate specially during the high season, as it affects a company that contributes with jobs and the economic activity of the country. He also disagreed with how the authorities proceeded with the operation since the closure took place at 6 a.m. and 26 Tax Control Officers acted and proceed to escort guests checking-in out of the lobby.